From the introduction : We all know something about language simply by virtue of being native speakers of one of the numerous languages available to us. Yet we know so little about language acquisition, one of the most fascinating human achievements and the focus of both theoretical and applied linguistics.
From the book description: Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch. As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret.
How did the “dabbling duck” get its name? What fish can leap up waterfalls? Is a sponge a plant or an animal? What animals can live both in water and on land? In Creatures of the Waters, you’ll discover answers to these questions and many more. Through pictures, articles, and fun facts, you’ll learn about the great diversity of animal life found in waters around the world.
Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable? What crop was buried with the Egyptian pharaohs? When is a nut not a nut? What are tubers? In Food Plants, you’ll discover answers to these questions and many more. Through pictures, articles, and fun facts, you’ll learn about the great diversity of plant life found around the world.
Who were the pharaohs? What country was created as a home for freed slaves? On what river would you find the Aswan High Dam? What was apartheid? In Views of Africa, you’ll discover answers to these questions and many more. Through pictures, articles, and fun facts, you’ll learn about the people, traditions, landscapes, and history that make up many of the countries and cities of Africa.